GeoAl, an Algerian GIS database for the development of a geological heritage

A. Bendaoud1, and M.C. Chabou2

(1)Faculté des Sciences de la Terre, de la Géographie et de l’Aménagement du Territoire, U.S.T.H.B., B.P. 32, Dar el Beida 16111, Alger, Algérie. abendaoud@gmail.com

(2) Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université Ferhat Abbas, Sétif, Algérie. charaf.chabou@hotmail.com

Dinosaur track sitesNumerous dinosaur track sites have been found

in western Algeria and one (Amoura site) is the

first discovery of dinosaur footprints in North

Africa (1880) (Taquet, 2010).

China Wall (Giant Orthoceras) 30 km from Beni Abbes (Southwestern Algeria),

on the left side of the road to El Ouata is the

deposit of Giant Orthoceras (Carboniferous).

Salt dome3 salt domes were preserved in northern

Algeria : Djelfa, El Outaya and Metlili

(Gautier, 1914).

Meteorite impact cratersThere ara 4 confirmed impact structures in

Algeria : Amguid, Maadna, Ouarkziz and Tin

Bider (Koeberl, 1994).

In Ouzzal terrane (Ouzegane et al., 2003)

A strong metamorphism leading to extreme temperatures (up to 1100 C)

Carbonatites which are among the oldest carbonatites known in the world (2 Ga)

Oldest rocks in Algeria (3.25 Ga)

Rock paintings and engravings

Volcanic landscape (Hoggar)Cenozoic volcanic activity occured in the Hoggar with various volcanic

structures (lava domes, necks, volcanic craters, maars,….).

Algeria with its 2.381.741 km2 is the largest country in Africa. It contains a wide variety of geological and

geomorphological sites with high scientific, pedagogical or touristic relevance. Unfortunately, there is no systematic

inventory of the Algerian geological heritage and most of the geological and geomorphological features of Algeria remain

poorly known. The principal aims of the project “GeoAl" are to conduct an inventory of the Algerian geosites and to

present the material in a GIS database and an online map service. The base will serve as a tool for national geoconservation

programmes, and for identifying potential locations for science, tourism, recreation and education.

Examples of Algerian geosites

Salt dome near

Djelfa. Location :

34° 50' 05" N

03° 05' 34" E

Diameter : 1.5 km

Maadna impact

crater. Location :

33° 18' 50" N

04° 01' 59" E

diameter : 1.75 km

22 cm

Amoura. Location

34°21’06’’N

03°52’05’’ E

140 footprints of

theorpod

References : Gautier, E.F., (1914). Le rocher de sel de Djelfa. Ann. Géogr., Paris, 1914, t. 23, pp. 245-260. Koeberl C. (1994). African meteorite impact craters : characteristics and geological importance. J. Afr.

Earth Sci., 18, 263-295. Ouzegane et al. (2003). A review of Archaean and Paleoproterozoic evolution of the In Ouzzal granulitic terrane (Western Hoggar, Algeria). Journal of African Earth Sciences 37 (2003)

207–227. Taquet, Ph. (2010). The dinosaurs of Maghreb: the history of their discovery. Historical Biology, 22: 1, 88 – 99.

This list, by no means exhaustive, is only a small fraction of geological treasures concealed in Algeria. Despite these natural riches, no site is listed by

UNESCO and none Geopark has been set up by the Algerian authorities. The constitution of this database is part of the effort that lead the Algerian scientific

community and international collaborators to publicize this heritage, and raise awareness of the importance of these sites in the protection of national natural

resources and their ability to be an economic engine, with the development of geological tourism, handicrafts and small business. It is intended for optimal

dissemination of the results of the work we do, that database is accessible through the web and it is accompanied by an educational content targeting an

audience as wide as possible.

China Wall

Location

30°04’00’’N

02°06’29’’ W

The Ihouhaouene

carbonatite

Location 23°35’N

03°05’E

Gneiss from Tin Tchik Tchik

area containing the oldest

zircon in the Hoggar

Rock paintings and

engravings in

the In Ouzzal area

Volcanic dome and necks from the Atakor (Hoggar).

7th EUREGEOEUropean Congress on REgional GEOscientific Cartography and Information Systems

12th to 15th June, 2012, Bologna

USFS